History of Dover

James Pearce was charged with stealing from the shop of Mr. Louis Masson, Poulterer, Snargate Street, a turkey value 8s his property. Sarah Masson wife of prosecutor said that on Saturday afternoon several turkeys were lying on the window board at her husband’s shop in Snargate Street. That produced was one of them. In consequence of what a gentleman told her she went after the prisoner whom had the turkey under his jacket. She had not sold him the turkey. Mr. Adams the butcher holed after him, when the prisoner turned round and said “do you want me?”

She replied “I don’t want you but I want the turkey you have under your jacket” He said “ I have only taken it in a joke, here it is you can take it”. She did not come up with the prisoner till he had got into Townwall Street. The turkey was worth 8s.

Mrs. Masson in reply to a question put to her said she had previously known prisoner and also his parents, who were industrious and respectable people. For their sake she did not wish to press the charge against the prisoner.

The magistrates said that as the case was brought for their adjudication and as a felony appeared to have been committed they could not overlook it. Police Sergeant Back then said that information was brought to the Police Station between three and four o’clock on Saturday afternoon that a turkey had been stolen from Mr. Masson’s shop, and learning that the man who had taken the turkey was gone in the direction of Townwall Street, he followed but found the prisoner in Bench Street with Mrs. Masson close behind him. They were then proceeding towards Snargate Street where witness came up with them and on asking Mrs. Masson what was the matter she said “that man has stolen a turkey from my shop” pointing to the prisoner. That was said in the hearing of the prisoner and witness therefore at once apprehended him and took the turkey from his arms. The prisoner said he had only taken it in a spree.

Witness conveyed prisoner to the Police Station where Mrs. Masson attended and there charged him before the superintendent in witness presence with stealing the turkey from her window. The charge was taken and read over to the prisoner when prisoner said he did take it but had done so through want, having a wife and four children at home without bread and no means of procuring it. On searching him witness found in his possession a shilling. Prisoner was then locked up. Superintendent Coram said that after prisoner was in custody he sent the shilling to the prisoner’s wife who with her family was found in a state of great destitution, and it appeared that the prisoner was out of employment.

Mr. Boulter, the landlord of the house prisoner occupied, and had also informed him the prisoner’s family was often suffering from great distress and that he had at times given them food. The prisoner who pleaded guilty was summarily dealt with being committed to prison for fourteen days with hard labour the Mayor remarking that the prisoner by his offence had augmented the distress of his wife and family, but in the hope that this would be the defendant’s last as they had reason to believe it was his first offence against the law the Bench had dealt with him as leniently as they were able. The magistrates ordered that in this case also, five shillings should be given to the wife of prisoner out of the poor box. (1861)